Effect of intracoronary nitroglycerin on myocardial blood flow and distribution in pacing-induced angina pectoris. Quantitative assessment by single-photon emission tomography

Changes in regional coronary flow after administration of intracoronary nitroglycerin were assessed by measuring total coronary blood flow (using coronary sinus flow catheters) and its regional distribution (by quantitative single-photon emission tomography of injected radioactive microspheres). After pacing to angina, 10 patients with coronary artery disease received serial selective left coronary injections of technetium-99m microspheres, 40 micrograms of nitroglycerin, and indium-111 microspheres. Significant changes in coronary flow distribution were determined by subtracting prenitroglycerin from postnitroglycerin tomographic profiles. Perfusion of each myocardial segment was classified as normal mildly, moderately or severely compromised, based on upstream coronary anatomy. The overall increase in coronary flow was 23% in the normal territories and 33%, 44% and 15% (p less than 0.05), in the mildly, moderately and severely compromised territories, respectively, compared with control values. Thus, intracoronary nitroglycerin increased coronary blood flow to all perfusion territories. The increase in distribution of coronary flow was greatest in the mildly and moderately compromised regions and the least in the most severely compromised regions; this is probably a reflection of the underlying coronary reserve.     

Usefulness of radionuclide angiocardiography in predicting stenotic mitral orifice area

Fifteen patients with pure mitral stenosis (MS) underwent high-temporal-resolution radionuclide angiocardiography for calculation of the ratio of peak left ventricular (LV) filling rate divided by mean LV filling rate (filling ratio). Whereas LV filling normally occurs in 3 phases, in MS it is more uniform. Thus, in 13 patients the filling ratio was below the normal range of 2.21 to 2.88 (p < 0.001). In 11 patients in atrial fibrillation, filling ratio divided by mean cardiac cycle length and by LV ejection fraction provided good correlation (r = 0.85) with modified Gorlin formula derived mitral area and excellent correlation with echocardiographic mitral area (r = 0.95). Significant MS can be detected using radionuclide angiocardiography to calculate filling ratio. In the absence of the confounding influence of atrial systole calculation of 0.14 (filling ratio ÷ cardiac cycle length ÷ LV ejection fraction) +0.40 cm² enables accurate prediction of mitral area (±4%). Our data support the contention that the modified Gorlin formula, based on steady-state hemodynamics, provides less certain estimates of mitral area for patients with MS and atrial fibrillation, in whom echocardiography and radionuclide angiocardiography may be more accurate.     

Radionuclide angiographic evaluation of ventricular function in isolated congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries

Eight asymptomatic patients (mean age 19 years, range 7 to 32) with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) underwent equilibrium gated radionuclide angiocardiography at rest and during supine bicycle exercise to assess systemic (morphologic right) and pulmonary (morphologic left) ventricular function. Five patients had normal intracardiac hemodynamic values, 2 had trivial atrioventricular valve regurgitation and 1 patient had trivial pulmonary ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Average exercise duration was 11 +/- 1 minute, with limitation due only to fatigue. At peak exercise, heart rate increased 225% and systolic blood pressure 152% over the rest value. Pulmonary ventricular ejection fraction at rest was 51 +/- 3% (mean +/- standard error of the mean); it did not change significantly at peak stress, 53 +/- 2%. Systemic ventricular ejection fraction was 48 +/- 4% at rest and increased to 64 +/- 4% at peak exercise (p less than 0.01). Count-based volume changes for the pulmonary chamber showed no significant change in end-diastolic or systolic counts at peak exercise (109 +/- 8% and 106 +/- 9% of rest value, respectively). However, end-diastolic counts decreased 13% (87 +/- 3% of rest value) and end-systolic counts 34% (62 +/- 7% of rest value) at peak exercise in the systemic ventricle. These data suggest normal systemic and impaired pulmonary ventricular function in patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries unaccompanied by significant associated lesions. These findings have important clinical implications in the setting of complex congenital heart disease in patients in whom a morphologic right ventricle functions as the systemic pumping chamber. Despite the pulmonary ventricular dysfunction, symptoms were not apparent at rest or during exercise.     

The patient''s appraisal of the cosmetic result of segmental mastectomy in benign and malignant breast disease.

Women's appraisal of the cosmetic result and their psychosocial adjustment after a standardized segmental mastectomy for benign or malignant breast disease was analyzed on the basis of a mailed questionnaire, which was satisfactorily answered by 263 (92%) of 285 women operated on consecutively. The overall result was favorable: 96.5% of the patients found the new appearance of their breast very good (30.7%), good (44.0%), or acceptable (21.8%). Women with a benign diagnosis ran a two-fold higher risk of being discontented with the new appearance of the breast than those with breast cancer. Complications of radiation therapy, preoperative concern that the breasts are important for the appearance, and anxiousness about the cosmetic result were associated with a significantly elevated risk of being less satisfied with the outcome. The main finding that it is possible to perform a locally radical operation that is highly acceptable to the woman is relevant to the surgical management of potentially malignant mammographic lesions and also to the scientific strategies for future evaluation of breast-conserving treatment modes in malignant disease.     

Use of the parascapular flap in hand reconstruction

A parascapular free flap was used in the treatment of the injured hand of an octogenarian. The flap was done following a pollicization of the index finger. This reconstructive procedure was done 8 days after the original injury.     

Mild to moderate COVID-19 illness in adult outpatients: Characteristics,symptoms, and outcomes in the first 4 weeks of illness

Most patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have mild to moderate illness not requiring hospitalization. However, no study has detailed the evolution of symptoms in the first month of illness.At our institution, we conducted remote (telephone and video) visits for all adult outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 within 24 h of a positive nasopharyngeal polymerase chain test for SARS-CoV-2. We repeated regular video visits at 7, 14, and 28 days after the positive test, retrospectively reviewed the prospective data collected in the remote visits, and constructed a week by week profile of clinical illness, through week 4 of illness.We reviewed the courses of 458 symptomatic patients diagnosed between March 12, 2020, and June 22, 2020, and characterized their weekly courses. Common initial symptoms included fever, headache, cough, and chest pain, which frequently persisted through week 3 or longer. Upper respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms were much shorter lived, present primarily in week 1. Anosmia/ageusia peaked in weeks 2 to 3. Emergency department visits were frequent, with 128 visits in the 423 patients who were not hospitalized and 48 visits among the 35 outpatients (7.6%) who were eventually hospitalized (2 subsequently died). By the fourth week, 28.9% said their illness had completely resolved. After the 4-week follow up, 20 (4.7%) of the 423 nonhospitalized patients had further medical evaluation and management for subacute or chronic COVID-19 symptoms.Mild to moderate outpatient COVID-19 is a prolonged illness, with evolving symptoms commonly lasting into the fourth week of illness.     

Persistent Cytomegalovirus infection—The etiology of Sjogren's Syndrome

The persistence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) with alteration of cell surface expression in certain tissues may initiate the tissue destruction that leads to the clinical manifestations of Sjogren's Syndrome. Salivary gland and lacrimal gland ductal cells are immunologically attacked due to CMV antigenic expression. The destruction of these ducts leads to xerostomia and keratonconjunctivitis sicca, the hallmarks of Sjogren's Syndrome.     

Regional cerebral volume measurements in late-life depression: relationship to clinical correlates, neuropsychological impairment and response to treatment

BACKGROUND: Elderly people who develop depression have demonstrable changes in cerebral structure but little is known of the relationship between regional cerebral volumes, treatment response and cognitive impairment. METHOD: Forty-four patients with major depression diagnosed according to DSM-IIIR criteria underwent magnetic resonance imaging and regional cerebral volumes were quantified using multispectral analysis. Response to antidepressant treatment was assessed prospectively and a neuropsychological test battery was administered. RESULTS: There was a trend for smaller fronto-temporal volumes in the treatment-resistant patients. Impaired immediate working memory was linked with reduced frontal and parietal lobe volume and impaired short-term memory functioning was associated with reduced temporal lobe volume. Ventricular enlargement was associated with prior administration of electro-convulsive therapy, poor physical health and later age at onset of first episode of depression. CONCLUSION: In late-life depression, brain changes should not preclude vigorous antidepressant treatment. Regional cerebral volume changes may be a complication of poor physical health and are associated with memory dysfunction even upon recovery from depression.     

A Randomized Open‐Label Trial with a Crossover Comparison of Sexual Self‐Confidence and Other Treatment Outcomes Following Tadalafil Once a Day Vs. Tadalafil or Sildenafil On‐Demand in Men with Erectile Dysfunction

AimTo compare Sexual Self‐Confidence and other treatment outcomes following 8 weeks of treatment with tadalafil 5 mg once a day (OaD) vs. tadalafil 20 mg or sildenafil 100 mg as needed (pro re nata [PRN]) in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).MethodsA randomized, open‐label, crossover study in men ≥18 years of age with history of ED and satisfactory response to current oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor PRN. Data were analyzed with a mixed effects model for crossover design.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measure was the Sexual Self‐Confidence domain of the Psychological and Interpersonal Relationship Scales (PAIRS) between tadalafil OaD and sildenafil PRN.Secondary Outcomes IncludedTime Concerns and Spontaneity domains of PAIRS, and the Self‐Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) scale.ResultsMen naive to tadalafil OaD were enrolled (N = 378), with 61–69% prior PDE5 inhibitor use. There were improvements in all PAIRS domains from baseline when comparing tadalafil OaD and PRN with sildenafil PRN (P < 0.001). The Sexual Self‐Confidence domain improved from baseline and was 0.50 ± 0.78 following tadalafil OaD, 0.5 ± 0.72 for tadalafil PRN, and 0.39 ± 0.67 for sildenafil PRN. The difference in least‐squares mean was 0.12 ± 0.04 (confidence interval [CI] = 0.04, 0.19; P = 0.001) between tadalafil OaD and sildenafil PRN and 0.01 ± 0.04 (CI = ?0.06, 0.08; P = 0.872) between tadalafil OaD and tadalafil PRN. The Time Concerns domain score was lower with tadalafil OaD than tadalafil PRN (P < 0.001). There were no differences in SEAR scores between treatments.ConclusionsTadalafil OaD and tadalafil PRN compared with sildenafil PRN demonstrated greater improvements in Sexual Self‐Confidence, Time Concerns, and Spontaneity. There was no significant difference in Sexual Self‐Confidence between tadalafil OaD and tadalafil PRN. Changes in SEAR, the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function, and the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction scores from baseline to end point were similar. Rubio‐Aurioles E, Porst H, Kim ED, Montorsi F, Hackett G, Morales AM, Stuckey B, Būttner H, West TM, Huynh NN, Lenero E, Burns P, and Kopernicky V. A randomized open‐label trial with a crossover comparison of sexual self‐confidence and other treatment outcomes following tadalafil once a day vs. tadalafil or sildenafil on‐demand in men with erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med 2012;9:1418–1429.